Being attentive is — literally — the beginning of peace. The cacophony of power struggles and the clamor of endless action distract many from the responsibility to find, share and protect peace. In this seminar, we will pay attention to peacemaking stories, and will reflect on the modes of attention that can best facilitate PEACEMAKING.
Peace must be made by those who make war. This entails difficult (and often dangerous) conversations. Yet our attention to others can open new possibilities and create the conditions for lasting peace. Unfortunately, the fragility of attention as well as the insistent pressure made on our attention significantly reduce the probability that peace can emerge in conflict situations.
The seminar uses actual cases of conflict resolution (Mozambique, Myanmar, and Catholic-Anabaptist tensions) to invite insights in the peacemaking process. Anyone interested in diplomacy, peacemaking, and interfaith or interparty dialogue is welcome to enroll. We’ll think about peacemaking in a geopolitical context, as well as its application to our personal and political lives.
Taught by Andrea Bartoli, Senior Research Scholar at Columbia Climate School’s University and President of the Sant’Egidio Foundation for Peace and Dialogue.